Whatever It Takes
By Misha

Disclaimer and Notes in Part One.

Part Eighteen: Girl Talk

"Tammy, can I talk to you?" I asked later that night when I got home.

Tammy sent me a warm smile. "Of course. What's up?"

I paused and looked around. We were in our living room and we weren't alone, Courtney and Jessica were also in the room, watching TV, and I didn't want either of them, particularly Jessica, over-hearing. "My room." I told her quickly.

"Sure." Tammy said and followed me up the stairs to my room. "What's up?" She asked again, as soon as the door was closed behind us.

"Jack and I are..." I began, not sure how to phrase it.

"Lexi!" Tammy exclaimed, cutting me off. "Do you really think that's even remotely a good idea?"

"I like him." I told her softly. "He makes me laugh and God, he's gorgeous."

"He also plays on a hockey team with your ex, which is coached by your dad." Tammy pointed out quietly.

"I know." I said with a sigh, sinking on to my bed. "I know I should walk away, but I can't."

"That says something." Tammy said softly, putting her arm around me. "Only you know what's best for you, Lexi."

"Yeah." I said quietly and sighed. "I just... I can't walk away from him, Tammy, not without seeing what could be."

"Then don't." Tammy advised me. "Go with your gut and if your gut tells you you have to be with Jack O'Callahan, well, then you have my full support."

I smiled and leaned into her. It was nice to have a friend like Tammy, one who was always on my side, no matter what. It made life just a little bit easier.

---

"So when are you going to bring the hockey boys over again?" Jessica asked me later. "I'd love to see them again. Especially Jack, what a hottie."

I had to fight the impulse to slap the coy smile off her face. Jack was my man, not that she knew that, of course. "They're pretty busy right now." I said as calmly as I could. "Dad has them working a killer schedule."

Jessica pouted. "That's too bad. I'd love to give a certain Boston boy a work-out, if you know what I mean."

"He has a girlfriend." I told her before I could stop myself.

Jessica blinked. "What?"

"Jack, he's seeing someone." I informed her.

"Why didn't you say anything when they were over before?" Jessica asked suspiciously.

"Because I didn't know." I told her. "It had never come up, it was only later that I found out." That was true. It was after the party here, that I had found out about Jack's feelings for me, which had lead to him being taken.

"Is it serious?" Jessica asked, pushing her hair behind her ear.

"I think so." I told her, though I had no idea what the thing between Jack and I was. I just didn't want my roomate getting any ideas. Jack was mine.

Jessica sighed. "Pity. He's gorgeous."

I smiled. Yes, he was and he was all mine. I was a lucky, lucky girl, even if I was getting in over my head.